Which mineral is critical for nerve conduction and muscle contraction by assisting in active transport?

Calcium plays a crucial role in nerve conduction and muscle contraction, particularly through its involvement in active transport processes. When a nerve impulse reaches a muscle fiber, calcium ions are released within the muscle cells, enabling the interaction between actin and myosin filaments, which leads to muscle contraction. Additionally, calcium ions are essential for the proper functioning of various enzymes and neurotransmitters, facilitating the transmission of signals within the nervous system.

This mineral is also integral in maintaining the balance of electrical charges across cell membranes. The active transport of calcium ions across these membranes is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential, which is necessary for the generation and propagation of action potentials in nerves and the contraction process in muscles. This makes calcium indispensable for both neuromuscular function and overall muscle performance.

Other minerals listed, such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, have important roles in the body but do not primarily assist in active transport in the same way that calcium does. Iron, for example, is critical for oxygen transport in the blood, while magnesium assists in numerous enzymatic reactions but is not directly responsible for muscle contraction in the context of active transport. Phosphorus is involved in energy production and ATP synthesis but does not play a direct role in nerve conduction like